The Montana Rancher's Bride (New Montana Brides) by Susan Leigh Carlton Page A

him. She had been reloading her rifle when she took an arrow to the chest.
    Cradling his mother in his arms, he could see she was gone. Tears filled his eyes. The two persons most important to him were gone. “Help me get them into the house, Luke,” he said.  They carried the bodies into the house and placed them on their bed. “Thanks,” Case told his friend and now employee.
    “ I’ll be burying them on the hill, beneath the cottonwood tree. That was Mama’s favorite place. We used to sit and watch the sunset of an evening. I’d appreciate it if you’d help me dig the graves.”
     
    “Sure thing, Case. Do you want me to help get them ready?” Luke asked.
    “No . I’ll take care of that. Luke left Case alone with his parents and went to get the shovels and begin digging. Case removed the arrows from the bodies and put them aside. He then wrapped each of them in a blanket and canvas. He tied the wrapped bundles tightly with ropes, and went to get the lumber to make coffins for each body.
    After the coffins were complete, he hitched his horse to the wagon, and loaded the coffins, with a body in each. After nailing the tops on the homemade coffins, he flicked the reins, and rode up the hill to help Luke finish digging the graves.
    They lowered the coffins into the freshly dug graves . He opened his mother’s Bible and read from the Twenty-third Psalm, Yea, though I walk through the valley of death, I will fear no evil… He bowed his head and recited The Lord’s Prayer.
    Using the lariats from their saddles, Case and Luke lowered the coffins into the grave, and covered them with dirt.
    * * *
    “Luke, I’m going into Helena in the morning, and let them know Red Cloud’s at it again. You’re welcome to come along if you like.”
    “I’ll stay here and keep an eye on things in case they come back,” Luke said.
    “You be careful, Luke. Don’t take any chances. You hightail it out of here if that happens. You’re the only friend I have left, and I don’t want anything happening to you.”
    “Don’t worry about me,” Luke said. “I’ll be all right.”
    Case went directly to the Sheriff’s office to let him know about the raid. “There’s been a lot of that lately.  If them miners don’t stay off the Indian land, there’s going to be a lot more. I heard the Army’s going to reinforce the forts along the Bozeman. That’s just going to make Red Cloud madder. There’s going to be big trouble hereabouts. I’ll pass it on to the Army about the raid on your place.”
    Case’s next stop was at the Christian Church, where he told Jack and Letty Owens about the deaths of his parents. “Luke and I buried them on the hill in back of the house; I read over them and said a prayer, 
    “I’m so sorry to hear this. Case and Maddie were nice people . Would you like to have a memorial to them after services this Sunday?”
    “If you think it’s appropriate, I’d like that. Folks liked them,” Case said.
    “They were an important part of our congregation. I think it would be a nice tribute,” Letty said.
    “Is there anything else we can do for you?” she asked.
    “No, I can’t think of anything. I’ve got to pick up some cartridges and a few things at the store, and then I want to get back, Luke’s there alone and they might come back for the cattle”
    Letty hugged him, and said, “Let us know if you need anything. Otherwise, we’ll see you on Sunday?”
    “I’ll be here,” Case said. “Thanks.”
    Silas Farmer, owner of the general store greeted him as he came into the store. “Morning, Case. What brings you into town today?”
    “The Indians hit the ranch yesterday. They killed Ma and Pa. Me and Luke was rounding up strays and found them when we got back. I need to pick up some cartridges and some nails. They burned the barn, and I’ll need to rebuild it.
    “I’m real sorry to hear this, Case,” Silas said. “I’ll pass the word to be on the lookout for them.”
    The following